Vending mechanism.



PATENTED SEPT. 29, 1903.

N Na. 740,202.

H. e. SWEENEY. VENDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21, 190B. 7

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uummm [ale :zZttvr-zaeya No. 740,202. 7 PATENTED SEPT 29, 1903.

H. G. SWEENEY. VENDING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED IN'J'Vr 21, 1902.-

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PATBNTED SEPT. 29, 1903.

'APPLIOATION FILED NOV. 21, 19-02.

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M aitvrizqya Fatented September 29 190 553;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY G SWEEN EY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TU FRANK G.

KAMMERER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

VENDING MECHANISM;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 740,202, dated. September 29, 1903; Application filed November 21, 1902. Serial No. 132,207. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY G. SWEENEY, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vending Mechanism; and

I do hereby declare that'the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked 1o thereon,which form a partof this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vending-machines and like devices.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described,'an d pointed out in the appended claims.

a vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of device embodying the main feature of my invention. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the valve shown in Fig. 4.. Figs, 8 and 7. are cross-sections of the valve shown in Fig. 5.

As shown in said drawings, A indicates a vertical plate, which may constitute the front wall or part of the front wall of a casing or housing containing a vending apparatus, and

B a horizontal plate on which the principal operative parts of the device are mounted. Oindicatesa detent-lever which is arranged to swing in a vertical plane and which is adapted to be operated by the weight of a 5 coin and constitutes part of any suitable coincontrolled device which may be used in connection with the vending device illustrated. Said detent-lever O is mounted on a horizontal frame-arm D on the plate B and is shown 0 as supported on'a pivot E, the ends of which are secured in parallel lugs or standards (1 d, which rise from the frame-arm D. The detent-lever O at the end thereof opposite that on which the coin acts is extended down-j 4 5 wardly to form a locking arm or detent C,

which passes th'rougha slot d, formed in the supporting-arm D.

F indicates an actuating-plate located beneath the stationary arm D and adapted to swing in a horizontal plane, said plate being mounted on a vertical pivot f, herein shown as passing at its upper end through the arm D and at its lower end into the plate 13. The plate F is provided at its free edge beneath the end of the armD, which contains the slot or notch d, with two locking-notchesf' f.

Said plate l3 is adapted to be swung or oscillated about its pivot f, so as to bring either one of the notches f f" beneath the notchd and in position to be engaged by the detentarm 0 when the end of said lever O, carry ing said arm, is depressed. The detent-lever C is so weighted or balanced at its ends that when there is no coin in position to act thereon detent-arm O on the opposite end'of said lever 0 will be lifted above and free from the plate F. Said lever is shown as provided adjacent to the detent-arm C with a horizontal rod E on which is placed an adjustable weight E HH are two upright levers connected at their upperends with opposite extending later ally-directed actuating-arms F F on the plate Fand pivoted at their lower ends to suitable stationary support-s, herein shown as having the form of horizontal arms 7?. h, attached to the front plate A. Attached to said levers Hare rods I, having at their ends push-buttons or finger-pieces I, which extend through holes or apertures in the front plate A. The said push-buttons I I through their connection with the plate F will be moved inwardly or outwardly in the plate A as the said plate F is oscillated. It follows that when said plate is at one limit of its oscillatory movement one of the push-buttons will be at its outward and the other at its inward position, and it follows that if the finger be pressed on the push-button which is at the outward limit of its movement the plate will be moved or shifted through the action of the red I and the lever H, so as to swing rearwardly or inwardly the actuating-arm of the plate F, with which the actuated push-button is connected, and at the same time to swing forwardly the 0pposite side of. the plate, and thus carry the other or opposite button to its outward position. It follows that one or the other of the two push-buttons will always be at the outward limit of its movement and that by pushing inwardly the button which is at any time outward the locking-plate F will be swung or moved on its pivot.

By reason of the engagement of the detentarm 0 with one of the notches ff in the locking-plate it is manifest that so long as no coin is acting thereon the detent-arm C will be interlocked with the said plate and the same cannot be moved by pushing on either of the push-buttons. When, however, the inner end of the detent-lever O is depressed by the weight of a coin, the detent-arm C will be raised, the locking-plate F released, and by pressure on the push-button which is at the time extended the same will be forced inward and the locking-plate, with its actuating-arms, swung or turned on its pivot.

The locking-plate F may be connected with any suitable vending or other device which it is desired to actuate. The machine illustrated contains a discharge or delivery apparatus for chewing-gum or candy tablets. The holding devicefor the articles to be vended embraces two vertical receptacles J J, these being located over the horizontal plate B near the front plate A. Pusher-plates K K slide on the plate B and are attached at their rear ends to the actuating-arms F F of the plate F by the studs k, which slide in slots f f in the arms F F and which also serve to connect the levers H H with said arms. Said pusher-plates K are shown as provided with parallel slots lc, engaging guide-studs k on the plate 13. The forward or outer ends of said pusher-plates K move transversely from front to rear across the bottoms of thereceptacles J, which latter are provided with exitslots at their forward or outer walls, through which tablets contained therein may be pushed by the action of the pusher-plates K K. The exit or delivery passages of the receptacles J are indicated at J in the drawings. The two pusher-plates K K are so arranged or connected with the actuating-arms F as to stand one ina retracted and one in an advanced position when the plate F is locked at one limit of its movement by the detent-arm O, and when said plate F is moved or actuated by pressure upon one of the pushbuttons the retracting pusher-plate K will be advanced and the one which is advanced will be retracted, so that each time the plate F is actuated a tablet will be ejected from one of the receptacles J.

The machine shown in the drawings is provided with gates adapted to close the exitpassages J of the vending apparatus. Said gates, as herein shown, consist of sliding plates L, mounted on the rear or inner face of the front plate A and passing through slots Z in the top plate B, said plates being con nected each with one of the operating-levers shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

ratns. the liquid in two dilferent positions of the H of the locking-plate F by means of a lever M and a link m, said lever being pivoted .to a depending arm M on the top plate B and being bent or having the form of a bell-crank lever, with its rear end or arm extending upwardly to the point where the link m is connected therewith, so that when the lever H is in the outward limit of its movement and the push-button connected therewith is protruded from the front plate A said plate L will be depressed and when said lever H is pushed backwardly the plate L will be elevated. Manifestly by reason of the connection described the plate L will be depressed as the pusher-plate K advances, so as to open the exit-slot of the receptacle and permit the exit of the tablet which is being pushed therefrom by the pusher-plate. Similarly as the other of the pushenplates is retracted the plate L at that side of the device willbe elevated to close the exit-passage. As the pushbuttons in the device described are connected with the actuating-arms F F on the actuating-plate F and the said arms are also connected with the pusher-plates of the vending device, it follows that the said arms F constitute a means of moving both the actuating-plate and the pusher-plates and that said actuating-plate when engaged by the detent-lever C also holds from movement the push'buttons and the pusher-plates. In the construction illustrated, therefore, the pushbuttons give movement to the operative parts of the vending device, while the detent-lever, acting on the actuating-plate, may control such movement. Manifestly, however, the actuating-plate F and the push-buttons which are connected and move with the same may be employed to give movement to any other kind of a vending or similar deviceas, for instance, similarly-arranged parts may be employed to operate a liquid-vending device, and a construction of this kind is In this instance the lever H is extended upwardly from the actuating-plate F and has connected with its upper end a connecting-rod O, which trans- ,mits motion, through a lever-arm P, to the turning plug P in a valve-casing Q, said plug and valve-casing constituting a valve by which a measurement of quantities of liquid can be delivered to the spout R of the appa- Said valve is arranged to discharge valve-plug, which latter is movedinto the two difierent positions referred to by direct connection with the push-buttons of the actuating device, so that whenever either pushb utton is moved inwardly the valve is brought into position to discharge the liquid from the spout. The valve illustrated is like that shown in my prior patent, No. 611,226, of September 20, 1898, which shows a vending-machine for liquids embracing .two measuringcups in connection with the valve, the parts being so arranged that the valve-plug has two positions, in 'eachof which it permits the IIO lugs the valve Citbltlglttlttl plugoulyarc ahmrn,

themcasuringwupsand liquidsupplydevices it being unnecessary to illustrate, because I they may be like those chowu in my said prior patent. As shown in said (l ra-nvings, the valvecztsing Q is provided with two supplyports q q, two ports located at right nozzles thereto, and two delivcr \'-ports q". Said delivery-ports are connected by oblique passages with the single pipe Q', which leads to the discharge-spout. ll. The ports if comnmnicuto with mcnsuriogcups and tho supply-ports q with a vessel containing the liquid to be furnished or't'oml'cd. The valveplug is provided with two ports I" I". The port I is so shaped that it one position of the plug it will establish connection between the ports q (food cut oil the exit-port thorot'rom and in another position of the plug will establish connection between the port vfmul the discharge-port q. The port I? is likewise similarlyconstructed and arranged, but is located ntnu unglc to-thc port I, the :mglo between the two ports corn-sponding with the total throw of tho valve, so thatwhcu the valve is at one limit. of its movement tho port I" will ho in communication with one exitport and when the plugis at tho oppositc limit of its throw the port I will ho in communication with tho other cxlbport. As it result of this construction when one of the push-bottoms is pushed in it. cnrrlcs the plug to one limit of its movement. and bring. one of the ports 1 thereof in com t-nuulcation with the exitqvort q of tho valve-casing, while at the ammo time bringing said port 1 into communication wlth the port 1f, which is connected with tho mcztsnringcup, so that the liquid in said mcnsnringcnp llows through the (sit-port to the discharge-spout, communication with the supply-pipe at this time boin}: closed. When tho vnlvc-plng it; in this position, the other port l" of the plug will beout of register with the exit-port if, but will .be in position to establish connection between the supply-pipe and the memmring-cup, so that the latter will be filling through one of the ports in the plug while the liquid is flowing from the other measuring-cup to the discharge-nozzle. W'hen the other push-button is thrust in, the valyo-plug will be reversed and the liquid will pascthrough the port. I to the discharge-spout and the (111;) will he filled through tho some port.

The main feature of my invention includes in connection with vending mechanism acmating mechanism embracing two push-but.- tons or manually-operable parts which are mechanically connected with each other, so

its extended position ready for operation.

One advantage of a device of this kind is that; it requires no spring or springs for tho operation of its parts,but,ou the contmryfis 'cntircly positive in its operation, and when shifted into one position it remains in that position until he thrusting inof the other puclnhuttou. In a vending mechanism having only one pnshbult'on which is returned by a spring the person opemting the device must hold the push-button in an inward position against the action of the spring or a sufiicicntly long time to secure the proper opcmtion or. the device, and if this is not done it mayfail to properly operate. of the construction illustrated, on the contrary, upon the actuation of one push-button the parts remain in position for the operation of the vending device or discharge of'the commodity to be \cndcd until such time as the other push-button is-operatcd, so that. the

device run a whole is rendered more positive of which are brought; into position for discharge of the liquid nltcrnatcly by alternate movement of the push-buttons. This feature of a duplex r'ieiircrydcvice for the commodity to bc vcnded is claimed as part of myinvcnvtion; but ldo not desire to be limited to such duplex device, so far as the broader claims are concerned, because a single discharge device may be connected with and operated by two connected push-buttons.

I claim as my invention-- 1; The combination with means for delivcrlng a commodity to be veudcd, of actuating means therefor embracing two manually-opcra-hlc parts or push-buttons so connect/ed that motion given to one will be communicated to me other.

2. The combination with the wall or casing of a vending mcchanism'and means for delivering a commodity to be ve ndc'd, of two poshbnttons which extend th rdugh'thesaid wall or casing and which are soconnected with each other that when one uslg button is thrust; inward'ly,the caller \ri lie'projcctcd,and operaum connections between the said push-but.- ton and the delivering means.

3. A vending mechanism embracing two manually-operable members, a. pivoted actuating-plate conucctedwith both members and acting to traosmitmotion from one member to the other, means for delivering a commodity to be tended, and operative connections between the said manually-operable members and the delivering-means.

4. A vending mechanism comprising means In the use too SIG

for delivering an article to be vendod, two

movable push-buttons, a. pivoted actuatingplate, a lever connecting the push-buttons nections benreenthe actnating-plateand the with the actuating-plate and operative. condelivering. means.

5. A vending device embracing two manttallpopemble members which are connected and move with each other and a duplex deliw ering device for the commodity to he vended connected with and operated by said manually-operable members.

6. A vending mechanism comprising two mannally-opcrabienctnating members, a pivotcd actnating-plate connecte? with both of said members, a duplex delivering device for the commodity to be vendcd and operative connections between said delivery means and said manually-operable members.

7. A vending mechanism comprising two manually-operable members, a pivoted nctn- Ming-plate connected with hoth'ol' said membcrs, discharging means for the commodity torvbe vcnded connected with and operated by said manually-operable members, and looking means for holding said vending device from operation embracing two notches in said actuating-plate and a detcnt-lover adapted to engage one of said notches in either position of the plate. i

8. The combination of twogrcccpla'cles or articles to be vcnded, two sliding ejcctors, two mannally opcra-ble members or push-him tons, operative connections between said push-buttons by which motiongivcn to one will be communicated to the other, and oporative connections between the push-buttons and said sliding cjcctors.

9. A vending mechanism comprising two manually-operable actuating members, an

actuating-plate connected with both hers,- a tilting detent lever adapted we: said actnatin nplntcto hold snidnianl operable'metnbers from movement, two: taclcs for articles to be vended, and city slides in said receptacles, saidejoct-inzbeing connected with and moved by h actnating-plate.

10. The combination of two rcccptacl articles to be fended, two sliding eje means for actuating said ejecto -s comp two opcrnbie members or posh-buttons ing gates for closin-gt-he c'xit-oncnings o receptacles and operative moans for o ing saidsliding gates actuated throng movement of the manually-operable hers.

11, The combination with two weep for articles to he rcndcd, sliding ejg means for actuating said eject-ore en ing two. manually-operable members, 5 gates for closing: the exit-openings of s: ccptacles. and operative conncctions said sliding gates and the said manual crahlo memocrsm'licrchy so id gates are! to close said exitmpcrtnrcs when the s cjcctots are retracted and are shifted u said cx'it-apertnrcs when advanced.

In testimony that I claim the forego my invention} allix tnysignatnrofin pn of'two witnesses, this momm of Nove A. 1). 1902, V

HENRY G. SWEEN Witnesses:

C. Cnsnnx'cn POOLE, GEORGE R. WiLKms. 

